ABOUT THEATRE NETWORK
We produce contemporary theatre with an emphasis on Canadian playwrights and stories out of our home, The Roxy Theatre, that we own and operate in Edmonton, Alberta.
Theatre Network is dedicated to producing and facilitating the development of work that is challenging and engaging, unafraid to question our conceptions of the world we live in, and provides an unexpected and exciting experience. Theatre Network tells Canadian stories by Canadian artists. Our continuing commitment is towards risk, especially where it involves content and the energy that is borne from that kind of risk. Not all of our work is controversial, but we have chosen to welcome controversy, rather than fear it.
Theatre Networkâs award-winning productions have been recognized across the country. We are the recipients of many Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Awards, including Outstanding Production of a Play for four consecutive years 2017-2020. We are known as a home for world premieres from some of Canada’s top playwrights. Four of our premiered plays have gone on to be nominated for the Governor Generalâs Award for Drama. The Roxy Theatre is the recipient of the 2023 Edmonton Urban Design Award of Excellence & the Peopleâs Choice Award.
OUR MISSION
To ignite community connection through bold storytelling, establishing the Roxy as an inclusive space where Canadian art inspires and voices are heard.
OUR VISION
To provide Edmonton audiences with the best in contemporary theatre and foster the development and production of Canadian stories. To create an artistâs home, with a sense of community, where people feel valued, are elevated and have a safe space to develop and grow.
LEADERSHIP
Jenna Rodgers, Artistic Director
Jenna is a mixed-race Dramaturg and Director of Chinese and Welsh descent. She was born and raised in Treaty 6 Territory and is a passionate advocate for equity in the arts, a fierce supporter of new play development, and is actively learning to raise small responsible humans while maintaining a career in the arts.
Jenna was the founding Artistic Director of Chromatic Theatre, a company dedicated to developing and producing work by and for artists of colour. She served as the Dramaturg for the Playwrights Lab at the Banff Centre for a decade, and is currently the Director of Theatre Albertaâs Artstrek program. Jenna is also a Board Member for the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas (LMDA), the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards, and currently sits on the Editorial Committee for Playwrights Canada Press. She is a graduate of the NTS Artistic Leadership Residency (2020), the Banff Centreâs Cultural Leadership Program (2019), and a member of the artEquity National Facilitator Training cohort (2018). Jenna received Canada Councilâs prestigious John Hirsch Prize for Directors in 2022, and the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Award for Emerging Artists in 2018. She holds an MA in International Performance Research from the universities of Amsterdam and Tampere, and is a proud graduate of the BA (Honours) program at the U of A.
David Cheoros, Executive Director
David Cheoros studied theatre and business at the University of Waterloo, and has an MFA in directing from the University of Victoria. Since graduating, David has dedicated himself to connecting audiences and artists.
David has been serving the arts community in Edmonton since 1997. He’s lead at the Edmonton Fringe Festival, Film and Video Arts Society, Theatre Network, LitFest and Metro Cinema. He worked with the Edmonton Arts Council in their grants section.
David has been a sessional instructor for MacEwan University’s Arts & Cultural Management program. He has also produced and directed twenty productions in Edmonton, mostly at the Edmonton Fringe Festival, and coordinated a Fringe venue at the Strathcona Library for fifteen years. He shares a home with two amazing daughters and a cat that resists domestication.
Jared Tabler, President & Chair of the Board
Jared is a passionate supporter of the arts and a strong believer in building community and giving back. As the CEO of MCQUEEN, he provides leadership and strategic direction to its four divisions: McQueen Creative, focusing on marketing and communications; McQueen Advisory, providing strategic management consulting; McQueen Search, a professional and executive recruitment practice and McQueen Agency which develops and manages the careers of visual artists.
As the President and Chairman of the Board for Theatre Network, Jared played an integral role in rebuilding the Roxy. His leadership throughout the capital campaign and rebuild ensured Theatre Network met its goal and is positioned for future growth and success.
In addition to his Board duties, Jared is also the Curator of the Peck Visual Arts program at the Miller Art Gallery. A role he is particularly proud of, having built the program from the ground up. Notable exhibitions include Jason Carter, Chris Cran and a retrospective of Agnes Martinâs work.